Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Tuesday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and hail showers
Periods of bright or sunny conditions mixed with showers or flurries of snow and hail. Visibility may change rapidly from excellent to very poor.
Chilly
Air temperature typically 0 to 5C on higher summits. Feeling distinctly chilly on tops when stationary or where exposed to wind. Take appropriate layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 6th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Chilly in Scotland, blustery showers northwest with hail, snow on summits. Showers well-scattered elsewhere, regular sun breaks. Patchy rain, drizzle, and low cloud affect England and Wales most of the day; some areas of east Wales see windows of cloud breaks and good visibility.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Chilly, some showers west with snow on high terrain
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 15-20mph, or stronger just at dawn, but trending lighter, sometimes less than 15mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small, but feeling chilly on the summits in early wind.
How Wet?
A few showers with hail west, snow on high terrain
Occasional brief hail and showers, falling as snow on high terrain, mainly afternoon near and west of A9. Little or none reaching further east until evening/night. A dusting of snow lying above 1100m.
Cloud on the hills?
Banks over high slopes, occasionally lowering west
Cloud base largely above 900m by late morning, well broken above 1100m east and likely clearing summits at times. Where showers occur, shafts of cloud lower towards 700-800m, clearing up again.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Patches of sunshine, most sun east Cairngorms NP. Mostly very good visibility, but temporarily poor where showers occur, or very poor in snow on high terrain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 or 5C, but will feel as cold as minus 5C in the wind.
Freezing Level
Just above highest summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 7th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West veering northwesterly in the range 15 to 25mph - particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Often fairly small, but ease of walking and balance sometimes difficult near showers. Considerable wind chill.
How Wet?
Hail and snow; extending east
Sudden hail and snow showers, sometimes frequent near and west of A9. Showers extend further eastward afternoon. Covering or dusting of snow above around 800m.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive higher areas, more often lower afternoon
Cloud base sometimes above 1050 to 1200m morning, but as showers come in, patches of cloud to around 600m, temporary lower west of A9, and 800m elsewhere.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50% lowering to 20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny, fair weather cloud building afternoon for more patchy sun. Visibility sometimes very poor, but otherwise good, although a haze.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C; will feel as cold as minus 8C directly in wind.
Freezing Level
Just touching the high Cairngorms, but also frosts in sheltered glens and corries.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 8th October 2026
Last updated
Mon 5th Oct 26 at
3:40PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 25mph, gradually shifting southwesterly, 10-15mph. Significantly restrengthening evening.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small.
How Wet?
Substantially dry until later
A few odd showers on northern slopes in the early morning, soon dry. Rain arrives from the west as afternoon goes, quickly becoming more frequent, persistent falls with heavy moments into evening/night.
Cloud on the hills?
Early cloud clears
Cloud banks substantially cover slopes above 1000m from dawn, dropping as low as 700-800m on north slopes during early showers. Bases will lift and increasingly break up for often clear summits. Cloud returns evening, filling in overnight.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Bright sun to start, high cloud gradually builds from the west, increasingly thickening. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
1C rising to 3C, rising sharply for a few overnight hours towards 8C or higher.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m, frosts in sheltered glens. Gradually lifting to rise above the high tops.
Planning Outlook
A brief colder period with the wind easing on Wednesday and Thursday with bright sun breaking out - some snow showers will affect high terrain in Scotland, some hail mixed in as well. Westerly wind returns as Thursday goes, bringing bands of rain, low cloud and strong upland winds across Britain. Saturday remains blustery and showery but with bright breaks forming, and then Sunday sees a more settled day as a small area of high pressure builds in from the south. The following week looked mixed with bands of rain coming and going, punctuated by regions of high pressure, but typically on the cloudy side. Generally mild temperatures.